The cause of God in church history has often ignited the same kind of Davidic passion within the elect to perform exploits against indolence, ignorance and iniquity. The words may be different, but the intent and spirit; the reformation zeal of David the warrior king, remains the same.

Indeed Martin Luther declared: “Here I stand,” and John Wesley: “Give me a place to stand … to shake the earth.” These men and many others in the church’s illustrious history are illustrative of the divine stuff of zeal so sorely needed in our generation. They were men with a cause, a mission from God.

David was once surrounded by an indifference to God’s purposes when his nation was challenged by Goliath, the giant from hell, who sought to shame God’s people and eclipse the testimony of God.

“And the Philistine said, ‘I defy the armies of Israel this day! Give me a man, that we may fight together.’ When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid” (1 Samuel 17:10,11).

David’s oldest brother, Eliab, dismayed and fearful, became angry not with the deity-mocking, godless giant, but with David who, in reformation zeal, eclipsed the carefree existence of Israel by arriving on the field of battle ready for mortal combat despite all of the natural circumstances arrayed against him.

“Then David spoke to the men who were standing by him, saying, ‘What will be done for the man who kills this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should taunt the armies of the living God?’ … And Eliab his oldest brother heard when he spoke to the men; and Eliab’s anger was kindled against David” (1 Samuel 17:26,28).

Eliab goes on to ridicule David as being prideful, irresponsible and full of mischief, to which David retorts with divine ire: “Is there not a cause?”

Complacency, lethargy and malaise concerning sacred or secular matters have long been universally loathed attributes of human behavior. Yet in today’s anemic evangelicalism such an attitude is not only being tolerated but is actually being nurtured and promulgated as a portrait of “balanced” Christianity. Introspection, stoicism and a marvelous indifference to Christian maturity suddenly are the means to a happy life free from responsibility, duties and demands. This kind of placid indifference is supposed to protect individual saints from “burnout” and to remove from our lives any call or cause which will demand sacrifice, pain or rigorous exertion.

“Happiness is a choice,” some would say. “So away with troublesome righteous causes and the biblical injunction of ‘going on to perfection.’ After all, happiness and contentment are the highest goals of life.”

This kind of sickening sentiment is a selfish, hellish philosophy which strips from the Church the depth of Christian character and reformation zeal needed to transform our society.

There are a number of reasons for the cause for the churches slide toward mediocrity in our day. Here are two of the top detrimental trends:

First, the greatest hindrance to a revived state in any believer is a short and truncated relationship with Christ our true vine of life in glory. There can be no vision nor vitality of life without an intimate, prayerful, powerful, reciprocal relationship with Jesus.

Amazingly, when saints are found “short of the glory of God” instead of drawing nigh to Christ using the means of grace of prayer, meditation upon the covenant forever, they look for the quick fix of the latest paperback at their local bookstore which generally excuses rather than challenges their lukewarm condition.

“I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch, and dries up; and they gather them and cast them into the fire, and they are burned” (John 15:5,6).

The second trend which stifles Godly animation is the increasing popularity of pop psychology. Typically these psychologists are short on biblical theology and demeaning to the comprehensive work of Christ upon the cross. Any behavior which is deemed by these “experts” to be unbalanced is somehow related to a dysfunctional background or a co-dependant relationship. No thought is given to man’s depravity or an individual’s personal responsibility for his own actions.

Interestingly enough these same psychologists take great pains to demean and tarnish the testimony of the reformers and revivalists of yesteryear, for their lives eclipse the new “balanced theology” they are trying to promote.

For example: Luther is described as an “insecure workaholic.” Never mind that he saved the church from apostasy, published the Bible for the common man, initiated the Protestant work ethic and was the bedrock for Western Civilization as we know it.

Or take the case of John and Charles Wesley, who are described as “having manic depressive tendencies” and “dangerously unbalanced.” Of course, John and Charles Wesley were dangerous, TO HELL, that is! Between them, they preached 85,000 sermons, wrote 250 books and 7000 hymns. In addition to this, they saved their beloved England from the kind of blood bath embodied by the French Revolution. Oh, that we should have more of such unbalanced, insecure, workaholic, manic depressive warriors. We might actually win our current culture war!

These same psychologists are guilty of historical and theological revisionism which robs the saints of their robust and glorious heritage and replaces it with the touchy-feely, blame-your-parents-for-everything syndrome, effectively neutering and contradicting orthodox Christianity.

“Our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus gave Himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify for Himself a peculiar people, zealous for good works” (Titus 2:13,14).

The following is a complete “recovery plan” for those who wish to renew their spiritual passion:

1) Cultivate your relationship with Christ in a fresh and vital way. Unload preconceived ideas which have skewed your vision of who Jesus is and search after Him as a man searches for a treasure. Look for the underpinning principals and patterns of scripture in order to rebuild a Godly vision and purpose for your life.

Then dare to be abandoned in executing God’s purposes for your life with much fasting, prayer and concentrated Bible study. Do not fear “burning out” for God! Indeed to burn out upon the altar of self-promotion or to run upon the ecclesiastical treadmills of futility, that is certainly sin. However, to know real exhaustion after a major spiritual conflict and victory, that is true satisfaction.

2) Reclaim your spiritual heritage by reading the original source material of historic Christianity, not books written second hand. For example, if you wish to study the works of John Calvin, then read Calvin, not books about Calvin which may have a bias or untoward agenda. Be rich in your Christian heritage, so that you may have a foundation for destiny in God.

3) Begin to build a comprehensive Christian worldview. Know your election and mission from God within this context and then hurl your every faculty toward this purpose. Yes indeed, “Seek first the kingdom of God!”

Jeff Ziegler is president of Christian Evangelistic Endeavors, a ministry dedicated to bringing a great and mighty revival to the Church and spiritual awakening throughout the nations. C.E.E. sponsors Intensive Revival School, a two year discipleship training program designed to prepare students for the ministry. Revival Flame, a bimonthly newsletter published by C.E.E., contains articles written by staff members and revivalists of old concerning revivals past and present. If you wish to receive Revival Flame, write:

Your comments are welcome!

The United States of America 2.0: The Great Reset (Book)

High Quality Paperback — 40 pages of dynamite!

Revival, Resistance, Reformation, RevolutionAn Introduction to the Doctrines of Interposition and Nullification

In 1776, a short time after the Declaration of Independence was adopted, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and Benjamin Franklin were assigned to design an official seal for the United States of America. Their proposed motto was Rebellion to Tyrants is Obedience to God. America owes its existence to centuries of Christian political philosophy. Our nation provided a model for liberty copied by nations the world over.

By the 21st century, we need a “Puritan Storm” to sweep away the Hegelian notion that the state is “God walking on earth.” We need revival and reformation in full force to vanquish the problems that plague us as a nation — from government controlled healthcare — to abortion on demand — to same sex “marriage.” This booklet gives a primer on our founders’ Christian idea of government and examines how the doctrine of nullification was woven into the Constitution as a safeguard against federal tyranny. It concludes with the history and theology of civil resistance. A Second American Revolution is coming with the Word of God growing mightily and prevailing! (Acts 19:20).

Massacre of Innocence (DVD)

Exposing The Occult Roots of Abortion

This presentation looks at the spiritual roots of abortion and exposes the myths surrounding child killing. Little known historical facts about abortion and how they relate to modern feminism are presented logically and accurately. Has been effective in converting many to a pro-life position.

Massacre of Innocence goes where no pro-life presentation has gone before in “tearing the lid off abortion” to reveal the spiritual realities we must battle if we will bring an end to this crime. The presentation is absorbing, fast-paced, informative and incredibly devastating to any attempt to justify abortion.

“… an extraordinary statement … a powerfully articulate presentation about what abortion really means, and why a great and moral nation like the United States must not allow the slaughter to continue.”— Congressman Robert K. Dornan

A Revival Account: Asbury 1970 (DVD)

What is true Revival and Spiritual Awakening?

Discover the answer in this eyewitness account by Dennis Kinlaw, President of Asbury College, Wilmore, Kentucky, who recounts the story of a visitation of the Holy Spirit in 1970. This is the presentation that has continued to spark the flames of Revival in the hearts of people around the world. Contains eyewitness footage from the Revival at Asbury College in 1970 in Wilmore, Kentucky.

Certain to challenge you to greater holiness and a deeper commitment to full-scale revival. Original news and private footage has been included. If you are a student who longs to see a spiritual awakening at your school, you must see this video!

“This simple video does a wonderful job of conveying something of God’s heart and power, Everyone we have ever shown this to has received an immediate impartation of faith for revival and the power of prayer.”— Bob and Rose Weiner, Weiner Ministries Int’l

Amazing Grace: The History and Theology of Calvinism (DVD)

Does this teaching make man a deterministic robot and God the author of sin? What about free will? If the church accepts Calvinism, won’t evangelism be stifled, perhaps even extinguished? How can we balance God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility? What are the differences between historic Calvinism and hyper-Calvinism? Why did men like Augustine, Luther, Calvin, Spurgeon, Whitefield, Edwards and a host of renowned Protestant evangelists embrace the teaching of predestination and election and deny free will theology?

This is the first video documentary that answers these and other related questions. Hosted by Eric Holmberg, this fascinating three-part, four-hour presentation is detailed enough so as to not gloss over the controversy. At the same time, it is broken up into ten “Sunday-school-sized” sections to make the rich content manageable and accessible for the average viewer.

Sixteen Christian leaders and scholars answer some of the most common questions and misconceptions related to this volatile issue:

1. Are we under Law or under Grace?
2. Does the Old Testament Law apply today?
3. Can we legislate morality?
4. What are the biblical foundations of government?
5. Was America founded as a Christian nation?
6. What about the separation of Church and State?
7. Is neutrality a myth?
8. What about non-Christians and the Law of God?
9. Would there be “freedom” in a Christian republic?
10. What would a “Christian America” look like?

The Abortion Matrix:
Defeating Child Sacrifice and the Culture of Death is a 195-minute presentation that traces the biblical roots of child sacrifice and then delves into the social, political and cultural fall-out that this sin against God has produced. You can order this series on DVD, read the complete script and view clips on-line...continued ...